News

Counties Manukau & Wellington to play for Jonah Lomu Memorial Trophy

The upcoming Mitre 10 Cup fixture between the Counties
Manukau Steelers and Wellington Lions on Friday 9 September at ECOLight Stadium
in Pukekohe at 7:45pm will have a special touch.

Both sides will be honouring the life of Jonah Lomu, by
playing in the inaugural Jonah Lomu Memorial Trophy Match. Lomu was a proud
Counties and Wellington man and he was a stand out for both provincial unions.
He played 28 games for Counties Manukau between 1994-1999 and 21 games for
Wellington between 2000-2003.

The “Number 11” Jonah Lomu Memorial Trophy will go on the
line every time Counties Manukau and Wellington meet in the future.

Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union CEO Andrew Maddock
said Friday night’s match will be a very special event.

“We are honoured to be able to host the inaugural Jonah
Lomu Memorial Trophy Match at ECOLight Stadium. Jonah’s contribution to
Counties was and still is immense. We are proud that rugby’s first
international superstar started here.”

Wellington Rugby chief executive Steve Rogers said:

“Jonah was an icon of New Zealand Rugby wherever he went and
whichever team he played for. As a union Wellington are proud and privileged
that Jonah Lomu wore our province’s colours with the same pride and distinction
that he did for Counties Manukau.

“He was a role model both on and off the field during his
time in Wellington and loved by fans, players and peers alike.

“We are honoured to be able to contest a trophy that bears
Jonah’s name and there is no doubt it will become a valued part of history of
both provinces in the years to come.”

The Counties Manukau Steelers will be wearing special
edition jerseys against the Wellington Lions for Friday night’s match. The
jerseys are based on the one that was worn by Jonah Lomu and his team mates in
the 90’s.

Make sure to get your tickets for the fixture. Tickets are
available for purchase at www.iticket.co.nz or at the CMRFU Office at ECOLight Stadium between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to
Friday or at the Gate on Game Day. Gates open at 4:30pm, with the Farah Palmer
Cup taking centre stage as the Curtain Raiser. The Counties Manukau Heat take
on Wellington at 5:05pm.